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Authorities say 11-year-old saw his dad sell drugs, called police

The Massachusetts boy looked through his father's belongings Wednesday

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Updated: 11:48 PM EDT May 18, 2017

Authorities say 11-year-old saw his dad sell drugs, called police

The Massachusetts boy looked through his father's belongings Wednesday

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Updated: 11:48 PM EDT May 18, 2017

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WEBVTT LIVE IN BROCKTON TONIGHT.>> POLICE ARE CALLING A YOUNGBOY COURAGEOUS FOR TURNING INHIS OWN FATHER.THIS IS WHAT THE 11-YEAR-OLDFOUND.HEROIN AND FENTANYL.THE CHILD KNEW NOT TO TOUCH IT.HE CALLED POLICE.POLICE LOOKING FOR THAT DADWHILE THE GRANDMOTHER TAKES CAREOF THE BOY.>> THE OFFICERS WENT THERE ANDCONSOLED HIM.HE DID DO THE RIGHT THING.WE HAVE SAID WE WILL KEEP AN EYEOUT FOR HIM AND NOT TO WORRY.WE WILL HELP THEM.

Authorities say 11-year-old saw his dad sell drugs, called police

The Massachusetts boy looked through his father's belongings Wednesday

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Updated: 11:48 PM EDT May 18, 2017

LAWRENCE, Mass. —

Officers are calling an 11-year-old boy courageous for calling police Wednesday after finding illegal drugs while rummaging through his father's luggage.

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The child also said he saw his father selling drugs earlier in the day, Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick said.

"I commend this young man for being brave enough to come forward and report that these dangerous substances were in his home," Fitzpatrick said.

Lawrence police detectives went to the home on Ferry Street, and confiscated 212 grams of a blend of heroin and fentanyl. The drugs were packaged inside five sandwich bags hidden inside the luggage, said Fitzpatrick.

Police said they also found a scale and additional sandwich bags inside the luggage.

Officers obtained an arrest warrant for the 40-year-old father on charges of drug trafficking and child endangerment.

Yamil Mercado, 40, turned himself in Thursday to Lawrence Police. Authorities said Mercado became aware that police were looking for him throughout the day.